Florida Epidemic Intelligence Service

Goals

Opportunities

Each fellow is assigned to a preceptor who is a practising epidemiologist within a local health department. At the beginning of the year, the preceptor and fellow jointly develop a specific list of goals and objectives. Fellows will:

Are You Eligible for the FL EIS Fellowship?

The qualifying degree for this application period must be completed no later than December 31, 2024

Health professionals who meet one of the following qualifications below, have taken at least one course in epidemiology and one course in (bio) statistics during graduate/professional school, and have a strong interest in applied epidemiology are eligible to apply to the FL EIS Program:

• Persons with a master's in a health-related field (e.g. MPH, MSPH, or equivalent).
• Physicians (MDs, DOs) with at least one year of clinical training and public health experience.
• Doctoral-degree recipients (PhDs, DrPHs, or equivalent) in health-related fields such as epidemiology, biostatistics, and the social behavioral and nutritional sciences.
• Nurses, dentists, or PharmDs with an MPH or equivalent degree.
• Veterinarians with an MPH or equivalent degree or demonstrated public health experience or coursework.

U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers are eligible to apply. The FL EIS Program is unable to provide VISA sponsorship.

Foreign Education: Education completed in colleges or universities outside the U.S. may be used to meet the education requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the U.S.

Questions about the FL EIS program, should be sent to FL_EISFellowship@flhealth.gov

Florida Epidemic Intelligence Service 2023-2025 Fellows 

Class of 2023: Jeremy Adams, Mohammad Alak, Nikki Coble, Adrian Kinkead, Taylor Kwiatkowski, Mark Pagnotto, Parnia Roghani, Richard Santiago Jr., Michelle Slawinski

Class of 2020: Alexis Bell, Emily Dougherty, Bernie Kloppenburg, and Virginia Warren

Class of 2018: Nushrat Alam, Ellen Dugan, Ashley Joseph, Briana O’Sullivan, and Danielle Rankin

Class of 2015: Erika Cathey, Charlie Clark, Diana Connor, Eboni Crawford, Toni Hudson, and Meri Phillips

Class of 2013: Alazandria Cruze, Michelle George, Ben Klekamp, Jennifer Roth, and Vincy Samuel

Class of 2011: Amber Barnes, Michael Drennon, Jessica Fung, Pamela Mann, Holly Montejano, Tara Richardson, JoAnne Tellado, and Lea Wansbrough

Class of 2009: Taj Azarian, Paco Castellon, Catherine Kroll, Sericea Smith, and Raquel Stephenson

Class of 2008: Karen Alelis, Leah Eisenstein, Kimberly Fraser, Rebecca Lazensky, Anita Lewis, Kateesha McConnell, and Erin O'Connell

Class of 2007: Aaron Kite Powell, Nicole Basta, Sharlene Traynor, Sharlene Emmanuel, and Patricia Ragan

Class of 2006: Andre Ourso, Aimee Pragle, Dawn Ginzl, Maria Bonafonte, Kelly Grainger, Rodlescia Sneed, and Maria Donnelly

Class of 2005: Robyn Kay, Matthew Laider, Janet Hamilton, Jose Lojo, and Kendra Johnson

Class of 2004: David Atrubin, Jerne Shapiro, Edhelene Rico, Meghan Weems, Carmela Mancini, and Michael Lo

2018

Notes From the Field: Verona Integron-Encoded Metallo-Beta-Lactamase-Producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa Outbreak in a Long-Term Acute-Care Hospital — Orange County, Florida, 2017. MMWR 2018; 67(21), 611–612. Authors: Rankin, D., Caicedo, L., Dotson, N., Gable, P., Chu, A.

A Novice’s Guide: Social Network Analysis Using R Statnet. 2018 National Association of County and City Health Officials Toolbox. Author: Rankin, D.

University of Florida EPI Research Day: February 2018 — Characterizing Zika Client Inquiries in 2016 and 2017 at a County Health Department, Duval County, Florida. Poster presenter: Ellen Dugan

International Society for Disease Surveillance (ISDS) 2018 Annual Conference: February 2018 — Social Network Analysis of Patient Movement Across Health Care Entities in Orange County, Florida 2016. Presenter: Danielle Rankin

Florida Epidemiology Grand Rounds: May 2018 — An Examination of Chronic and Acute Hepatitis B Cases in Young Adults (Ages 18–30) Using Data From the Hepatitis in Young Adult Project (YAP), 2012–2015. Presenter: Ashley Joseph

Florida Health Spring Geographic Information System (GIS) Showcase: June 2018 — Multi-County Study of Traumatic Brain Injury, Florida, 2011–2015: A Tale of Traumatic Brain Injury in Four Peer Counties. Poster presenter: Nushrat Alam

Florida Health Spring GIS Showcase: June 2018 — Utilizing 911 Response Calls for Injury Surveillance in Florida, 2011–2016: A Descriptive and Geographic Summary of Injury Events in the Pre-Hospital Environment. Poster presenter: Nushrat Alam

Council for State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) Annual Conference: June 2018 — An Outbreak of VIM-producing P. aeruginosa in a Long-Term Acute-Care Hospital, Orange County, Florida, 2017. Presenter: Danielle Rankin

CSTE Annual Conference: June 2018 — Shelter Surveillance in Florida Post-Hurricane Irma. Presenters: Kendrick, K., Rankin, D., Veliz, Y., Peaslee, M., Hamilton, J.

CSTE Annual Conference: June 2018 — Multi-County Study of Traumatic Brain Injury, Florida, 2011–2015: A Tale of Traumatic Brain Injury in Four Peer Counties. Poster presenter: Nushrat Alam

CSTE Annual Conference: June 2018 — Utilizing 911 Response Calls for Injury Surveillance in Florida, 2011–2016: A Descriptive and Geographic Summary of Injury Events in the Pre-Hospital Environment. Poster presenter: Nushrat Alam

CSTE Annual Conference: June 2018 — An Examination of Chronic and Acute Hepatitis B Cases in Young Adults (Ages 18–30) Using Data From the Hepatitis in Young Adult Project (YAP), Florida, 2012–2015. Poster presenter: Ashley Joseph

National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Webinar: June 2018 —  Introduction to Social Network Analysis Webinar: Broad Overview and a Demonstration of a Novice’s Guide Using R Statnet. Presenter: Danielle Rankin

Florida Health Epidemiology Grand Rounds: June 2018 — A Growing, Widespread Death Toll: Suicides and Opioid Poisoning in Florida. Presenter: Ellen Dugan

Florida Epidemiology Grand Rounds: July 2018 — Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Okaloosa County, Florida. Presenter: Nushrat Alam

NACCHO Annual 2018: July — Multi-County Study of Traumatic Brain Injury, Florida, 2011–2015. Poster presenter: Nushrat Alam

NACCHO Annual 2018: July — Utilizing 911 Response Calls for Injury Surveillance in Florida, 2011–2016. Poster presenter: Nushrat Alam

NACCHO Annual 2018: July — Lessons Learned From Collaborations With Local Partners on a Community Assessment, Poster presenter: Briana O’Sullivan

2017

Emerald Coast District of the Florida Environmental Health Association (FEHA) Regional Training: May 2017 — Hidden Dangers of Sewage. Presenter: Nushrat Alam

Florida Department of Health Statewide Epidemiology Training: June 2017 — Investigation of a Norovirus Outbreak Associated With a Large Outdoor Event, Hillsborough County, March 2017. Poster presenter: Ashley Joseph and Samantha Spoto

Florida Health Statewide Epidemiology Training: June 2017 — Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyze distribution of gastrointestinal illness in schools and the surrounding community. Poster presenter: Briana O’Sullivan and Ryan Burke

Florida Health Statewide Epidemiology Training: June 2017 — An Intermittent Carbon Monoxide Exposure at Complex A, Orange County, Florida, November 2016--March 2017. Poster presenter: Danielle Rankin

Florida Health Statewide Epidemiology Training: June 2017 — Breakout A: Collaboration During an Epidemiology Response: Lessons Learned. Presenter: BrianaO’Sullivan

Florida Health Statewide Epidemiology Training: June 2017 — Utilization of a Web Survey During an Outbreak Response. Presenter: Danielle Rankin

CSTE Annual Conference: June 2017 — Containment of Novel and Targeted MDROs. Panelist presenter: Danielle Rankin

FEHA Annual Meeting: August 2017 — Preparedness Efforts in Response to Arboviral Illnesses in Florida. Presenter: Ashley Joseph

FEHA Regional Meeting: September 2017 — An Intermittent Carbon Monoxide Exposure at Complex A, Orange County, Florida, November 2016–March 2017. Presenter: Danielle Rankin

 Florida Health Epidemiology Grand Rounds: December 2017 — Real-Time Assessment for Providing Information for Decision Making (RAPID). Presenter: Briana O’Sullivan

2016

Epi Update Issue 4 2016: Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) for Mosquito-Borne Illness and Influenza Season Preparedness, Pinellas County, October 2016. Authors: Joseph, A., Leapley, A., Lamb, J.

International Society for Disease Surveillance Annual Conference: December 2016 - Analysis of Daily Enhanced Syndromic Surveillance in Hillsborough County, Florida, 2015. Poster presenter: Charles Clark

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Notes From the Field: Large Tuberculosis Contact Investigation Involving Two Hospitals — Okaloosa County, Florida, 2014. MMWR 2016; 65(47), 1349-1350. Authors: Cathey, EF, Matthias, J, et al.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Notes From the Field: Pediatric Death from Meningococcal Disease in a Family of Romani Travelers — Sarasota, Florida, 2015. MMWR 2016; 65(37), 1017. Authors: Crawford, E, Drennon, M, & Winston, T.

Sustained Transmission of Pertussis in Vaccinated, 1–5-Year-Old Children in a Preschool, Florida, USA. Emerging Infectious Diseases February 2016 22(2), 242-246. Authors: Matthias, J., Pritchard, P.S., Martin, S.W., Dusek, C., Cathey, E., et.al.

Epi Update Issue 1 2016: Investigation of Pesticide Poisoning Among Farmworkers, Palm Beach County. Authors: Mulay, P., Tovar-Aguilar, A., & Connor, D.

Florida Grand Rounds: March 2016 - Measles Response in St. Lucie County, April 2015. Presenter: Charles Clark

Florida Grand Rounds: February 2016 - Southwest Florida CRE Collaborative: Post-Collaborative Assessment & Data Review. Presenter: Eboni Crawford

NACCHO Annual 2016: July 2016 - Innovations in STD Client Notification. Presenter: Diana Connor

Health Professionals Division Research Day at NOVA Southeastern University: February 2016 - Private Reporting Option Through Coded Text Messages (PROTEXT). Presenter: Diana Connor

Florida Grand Rounds: January 2016 - PROTEXT: Private Reporting Option of Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Laboratory Results Through Coded TEXT Messages. Presenter: Diana Connor

Florida Department of Health 2016 Statewide Epidemiology Training: June 2016 - Heroin-Related Morbidity Surveillance Using ESSENCE-FL Orange County, Florida 2010 – 2014. Presenter: Toni Hudson

CSTE Annual Conference: March 2016 - The Contribution of Local Public Health to Heroin Surveillance in Orange County, Florida. Presenters: Ben Klekamp, Toni Hudson, Sarah Matthews

2015

Epi Update Issue 3 2015: Differences in Influenza-Like Illness Data Collection and Reporting Between County Health Departments in Florida. Authors: Cathey, E., Rendon, A., May, S., McCombs, K., Rubino, H., & Chapman, K.

Epi Update Issue 3 2015: Analysis of a Cryptosporidiosis Outbreak in Two Childcare Facilities in Hillsborough County, Florida, 2014. Author: Clark, C.R.

Epi Update Issue 2 2015: Respiratory Illness Outbreak in an Assisted Living Facility, Orange County, Florida. Author: Hudson, T.

Florida Grand Rounds: August 2015 - Legionellosis Outbreak at a Nursing Home, Orange County, Florida 2014. Presenter: Toni Hudson

Global Florida 2015 Epidemiology Training: June 2015 - Emerging Infectious Diseases. Panelists: Toni Hudson, German Gonzalez, Jon Teter, & Danielle Stanek

University of Florida’s Emerging Pathogens Institute Epi Research Day Conference: February 2015 - First Confirmed Case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome in Florida, Orange County, Florida, May 2014. Poster presenter: Toni Hudson

Epi Update Issue 3 2015: Quality Assurance Assessment of West Nile Virus Illness Reporting Gaps in Merlin Through the Examination of Cause of Death Data in Vital Statistics. Authors: Phillips, M. & Geib, K.

National Environmental Health Association Annual Education Conference and Exhibition: July 2015 - Comprehensive Review of Vibrio vulnificus infections in Florida, 2004 – 2013. Poster presenter: Erika Cathey

Global Florida 2015 Epidemiology Training: June 2015 - Public Health Investigations - Lessons Learned From the Field. Panelists: David Chmiel, Rehme, P., Crawford, E., Nicholson, G., Harder, T., & Harter, C.

CSTE Annual Conference: June 2015 - Emergence of Locally Acquired Chikungunya in Florida. Poster presenter: Diana Connor

Florida Department of Health Statewide Epidemiology Conference: May 2015 - Delayed Mortality Among Cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV) Illness in Florida, 1999–2013. Poster presenter: Meri Phillips

Florida Grand Rounds: April 2015 - Delayed Mortality Among Cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV) Illness in Florida, 1999–2012. Presenter: Meri Phillips

University of Florida’s Emerging Pathogens Institute Epi Research Day Conference: February 2015 - Quality Assurance Assessment of West Nile Virus Illness Reporting Gaps in Merlin Through the Examination of Cause of Death Data in Vital Statistics. Poster Presenter: Meri Phillips

International Society for Disease Surveillance Annual Conference: December 2015 - Analysis of ED and UCC Visits Related to Synthetic Marijuana in ESSENCE-FL, 2010-2015. Poster presenter: Michael Wiese & Charles Clark

Healthiest Weight: A Life Course Approach, Summer 2014 Toni Hudson, MSPH

2014

Florida Grand Rounds: December 2014 - Managing Data Using Epi Info™ 7 for a Large Tuberculosis Contact Investigation. Presenter: Erika Cathey

University of Northwest Florida 7th Annual Mattie Kelly Environmental Symposium, October 2014 - Comprehensive Review of Vibrio vulnificus infections in Florida, 2004 - 2013. Poster presenter: Erika Cathey

South Florida GIS Expo, October 2014 - Tracking the Emergence of Locally Acquired Chikungunya Fever in Palm Beach County, Florida with GIS. Presenter: Diana Connor

Measles Outbreak in an Unvaccinated Family and a Possibly Associated International Traveler-Orange County, Florida, December 2012-January 2013. MMWR. September 12, 2014 / 63(36);781-784, Slade TA, Klekamp BG, et al.

Frequency and erroneous usage of temporary medical exemptions and knowledge of immunization guidelines among some Miami-Dade County Florida providers, June 14, 2014. Cruze, A, Zhang, G, Thomas, L, Alonso, J, Sandoval

Sherin K, Klekamp B, Beal J, Martin N. What Is New in HIV Infection? American Family Physician, 2014; 89(4)

2013

Florida Grand Rounds: March 2013 - Mystery Illness on the Savanna, Presenter: Ben KleKamp, MSP

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Notes from the Field: Strongyloides Infection Among Patients at a Long-Term Care Facility- Florida, 2010-2012, MMWR 2013;62:844

Florida Grand Rounds: July 2013 - Shigella flexneri Associated with MSM & HIV, Presenter: Vincy Samuel, MPH

Florida Grand Rounds: September 2013 - Outbreak of Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumona Infection in an Acute Care Hospital, Presenter: Jennifer Roth, MPH

2012

Council for State and territorial Epidemioloigst Annual Conference, June 2012: Delayed Mortality among cases of Eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile Virus illness in Florida, 1999-2011, Michelle George, MPH.

Gastrointestinal illness among correctional facility inmates, Lake City, Florida, May 2012 FEHA article, Ben Klekamp, MSPH.

Florida Grand Rounds: October 30, 2012 - Immunization Guideline Knowledge and Practice Amont Selected Health Care Providers in Miami-Dade County. Presenters: Alazandria Cruze, MPH, CPH and Lakisha Thomas, MPH.

Notes from the Field: Tuberculosis Cluster Associated with Homelessness-Duval County, Florida, 2004-2012

Epi Update Issue September 2012: Summary of Scabies Outbreak, Seminole County, August 2011 - July 2012, Michelle George, MPH.

2011

Alert system to detect possible school-based outbreaks of influenza-like illness

Epi Update Issue November 2011: Investigation of a Cluster of Illnesses Initially Attributed to a Chemical Exposure, Seminole County, August 2011, Michelle George, MPH

Raccoon Roundworms in Pet Kinkajous --- Three States, 1999 and 2010, MMWR, March 2011

2010

Babesia in Florida: How Travel and Transfusion Facilitate Infection
PowerPoint Version  - Microsoft Word Version

What Every Asian American Should Know About Chronic Hepatitis B - January 2010

Spotlight on Hepatitis Prevention Programs at the Orange County Health Department - February 2010

Hepatitis B Vaccine and Prevention of Chronic Hepatitis B - March 2010

Low Secondary Transmission of 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) in Households Following an Outbreak at a Summer Camp: Relationship to Timing of Exposure

Brucellosis in Florida, EPI Notes - February 2010

2009

2009 Epidemiology Annual Report: A Summary of Reportable Diseases in Seminole County

2008

2007 Seminole County Health Department Annual Epidemiology Morbidity Report

Florida Injury Facts: Firearms

Importance of Bacterial Burden Among Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Carriers in a Long Term Care Facility

Infection control breakdown in a pain management facility: An outbreak of invasive S. aureus infections associated with misused single dose vials and other breaches in infection control (APHA, Oct 2008)

Miami Dade County Monthly Epi Report

Nasopharyngeal Tuberculosis: Characterization of Transmissibility in a College Classroom Setting (APHA, Oct 2008)

Acanthamoeba Keratitis -- Multiple States, 2005-2007

BioDefend™ Syndromic Surveillance System Influenza Activity Detection (Poster Presentation, ISDS Conference 2007)

Could Syndromic Surveillance Data Be Used Effectively with Other Data Sources? A Transposable Local View (Oral Presentation, ISDS Conference 2007)

Outbreak of Cutaneuous Larva Migrans at a Children's Camp - Miami, Florida 2006

Salmonellosis Trends in Miami-Dade County, 2000-2006

2006

Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) in Pregnant Women: Miami-Dade County, 2004-2005

Analysis of Florida Toddler Pool Drowning Deaths

Community-Acquired MRSA Infection: An Update

Comparison of ICD-9 Coded Chief Complaints and Diagnoses for Identifying Gastrointestinal Syndrome Using ESSENCE

Contact Dermatitis in Daycare Facilities

Florida Influenza Surveillance 

Grand Rounds on 2004-2005 Florida Hurricane Mortality

Grand Rounds Presentation on Influenza Surveillance

Melioidosis Case Investigation

"Mortality Associated with Hurricane Katrina - Florida and Alabama - August-October 2005"

Rapid Community Health and Needs Assessments Following Hurricane Wilma: Broward and Hendry Counties

Salmonella Meningitis: Possible Association with Turtle

Salmonellosis in Collier County: A Geographic Analysis of Rates

Legionella Outbreak Investigation Associated with Hotel

Leptospirosis Outbreak Among Participants of Adventure Race

2005

Outbreaks of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Associated with Petting Zoos --- North Carolina, Florida, and Arizona, 2004 and 2005

MRSA in a Maternity and Delivery Ward at a Volusia County Hospital

Grand Rounds Presentation on Dengue Fever Investigation

Suspect Tularemia Case from Wild Rabbit in Pinellas County

Grand Round Presentation on Pertussis Outbreak During Hurricane Response

Outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Three Florida Petting Zoos

Outbreak of Hepatitis B Among Patients Receiving Chelation Therapy in Miami-Dade County

Influenza-like Illness Outbreak at a Long-term Care Facility,Volusia County, Florida, February 2005: Guidelines for Prevention and Control

Outbreak of Norovirus Gastroenteritis

Protocol for Assessing Community Excellence in Environmental Health

Norovirus Outbreak at a Miami-Dade County University

Florida Influenza Surveillance

Grand Rounds Presentation on MRSA

Home Sheltering During Hurricane Ivan: Risk Factors for Exposure to Probable Case of Meningococcal Disease

Fatal Rat Bite Fever -- Florida and Washington 2003

2004

An Outbreak of Bacillus cereus Gastroenteritis in a Stockade Facility, West Palm Beach, Florida

Vibrio vulnificus infections in Florida

SARS and Avian Influenza Update

UV Exposure from Mercury Vapor Lamp

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning from Hurricane-Associated Use of Portable Generators --- Florida, 2004

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

Morbidity and mortality from accidental falls in Collier County, Florida, 1997-2001

Preliminary Medical Examiner Reports of Mortality Associated with Hurricane Charley --- Florida, 2004

Grand Rounds Presentation on Drug-Resistant Salmonella

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Escambia County Jail

Multifocal Autochthonous Transmission of Malaria - Florida, 2003, MMWR. 53(19);412-413.

Grand Rounds Presentation on Hepatitis A Analysis

Chickenpox Diagnosed at Duval County Shelter

A Spatial Analysis of the Leading Causes of Childhood Morbidity in Florida

Polk County Experiences Outbreaks of Illness Associated With Exposure to Lake Water

Inspiratory stridor in female students at a high school in Tampa, Florida

2003

Panhandle Beach Safety Study

Influenza Investigation at Sarasota Facility Finds Vaccination Rate an Issue

White Powder Investigation at Duval County Postal Facility Yields Training Opportunity

Outbreak of Scombroid/Histamine Poisoning From Consumption of Marlin Spoils Film Crew Visit

Grand Rounds Presentation on a Review of Adverse Events Related to Smallpox Vaccinations in Florida

An Investigation into a Salmonella Enterica serotype Typhimurium Outbreak in a BBQ Restaurant, Hillsborough County, June 18 - July 6, 2003

Locally Acquired Malaria "Probable" in Palm Beach County

Vibrio Outbreak Discovered in Duval County

Viral Meningitis Outbreak Investigated in Alachua County

Shigellosis Outbreak Hits South Florida Day Care Center

Investigation of Blood Transfusion-Associated West Nile Virus Infection

Summary of an investigation of a gastroenteritis outbreak at a volleyball tournament in Orange County

Chickenpox Outbreak in a Hillsborough County Elementary School

Hepatitis A Outbreak In An Elementary School

2002

Community Acquired Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Associated With Skin Abscesses

Salmonella group C2 Outbreak in a Restaurant- Gainesville, Florida

Norwalk Virus Outbreak in a Hendry County Nursing Home, April 2002

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Outbreak Associated With Injections at a Podiatry Clinic

Knowledge and Attitudes About Bioterrorism and Smallpox